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The rural electrification drive

Aug 10, 2016, 10:03 AM

The Farafenni Power Station commissioned on Saturday 6 August 2016 is expected to bring about a positive transformation in the lives of especially people in the rural areas, as with light every other development follows.

In launching the station, the Education minister highlighted the multiplier effect of electricity supply, saying it stimulates other sectors of the economy. 

That is very true. With reliable electricity supply, especially in the rural areas, come more business opportunities and investments, more growth in education and skills learning, less rural-urban migration, more agricultural activity, more income to the average man and woman, increased economic growth for the nation and widespread national development.

The country’s food self-sufficiency drive would be hugely boosted with the availability of electricity and power generating amenities that preserve produce, the education minister said, as it would attract well trained agriculturalists to the region it is provided, as well as enhance their commercial agricultural initiatives in terms of storage and processing.

“The government will also continue to explore other alternative cheaper means of producing electricity through the renewable energy initiatives,” the minister said. “This is with a view to ensuring the affordability of electricity to the average Gambian.”

As we congratulate the government and NAWEC for this national project and development booster, which comes with huge multiplier effect, it is advisable to ensure that reliable and affordable supply of electricity is maintained at all times so that the masses of our people are able to utilise it and the desirable objective achieved, which is: national development and better standard of living for the people.

“If it weren’t for electricity, we’d all be watching television by candlelight. ”

George Gobel